The Great Famine continues in Ireland. As…

The Great Famine continues in Ireland.

As with the previous year, the potato crop of 1847 is almost completely ruined by the blight.

Cornmeal, disliked by the Irish, is imported from the United States helps avert some starvation, but reliance on it leads to nutritional deficiencies.

Despite these shortcomings, by August 1847 as many as three million people are receiving rations at soup kitchens.

Much of the financial burden of providing for the starving Irish peasantry is thrown upon the Irish landowners themselves (through local poor relief), but because the peasantry is unable to pay its rents, the landlords soon run out of funds with which to support them.

British assistance is limited to loans, helping to fund soup kitchens, and providing employment on road building and other public works.